June 2, 2008

Today was your opportunity to demonstrate your mathematical knowledge from the year for Mr. O'Brien- the final Opportunity Day!

HW:
  • Finish project this week


May 30, 2008

We worked on final exam revision.

HW:


May 28, 2008

We discussed the project and the final exam and then worked.

HW:


May 23, 2008

We worked on the project.

HW:
  • Email Mr. O'Brien your project rough draft today
  • Revise for the final (details above)


May 20, 2008

We spoke briefly about the final exam and then worked on the project.

HW:
  • Work on project rough draft- final draft is due after the exam
  • Begin your final exam revision- details here


May 16, 2008

We went over a few last minute questions and then had our final quiz. We went over the homework, using this applet to explore the Koch Snowflake curve. We marveled that a shape could have finite area yet infinite perimeter.

HW:


May 14, 2008

We began class with a little series investigation (file here: Geometric Staircase.gsp). We then corrected the quiz and discussed the homework (newest answers here: complex hw3 answers.pdf).

HW:
  • p. 475/1, 3, 9, 47, 48


May 12, 2008

We took the quiz and then discussed the homework and DeMoivre's Theorem (newest HW answers here: complex hw2 answers.pdf)

HW:


May 8, 2008

We discussed the complex number homework that we've been working on (newest HW answers here: complex hw answers.pdf). This led to a neat theorem to find the powers of complex numbers.

HW:


May 6, 2008

We began by looking at plausible functions from last class (the four XC problems) and connected them to the polar graph symmetry from last homework (and the parametric equations from last homework). We also looked a little more at the homework from last class using the Sketchpad polar-Cartesian sketch. We then discussed complex numbers- rectangular form and the Argand plane, conjugate, argument and modulus. This led to the polar form from last night's homework. We investigated why this form is very nice using this sketch (Complex Multiplication 2.gsp).

HW:
  • This sheet: complex hw.pdf
  • Quiz moved to next Monday and Friday due to AP exams (can count one or both)


May 2, 2008

We took the Supercorrection follow-up quiz, explored some plausible functions, went over the homework (answers: polar hw answers.pdf). We ran out of time and did not get to discuss the Argand plane- complex numbers in rectangular and polar form, conjugate, argument and modulus. Before doing the homework, revise complex numbers in your text- we will discuss these terms in class Tuesday.

HW:
  • p. 343/1-15 odd, 24-26, 28
  • Quiz Thursday


April 30, 2008

We went over the polar homework, and then worked on an exploration of graphing parametrically in both rectangular (Cartesian) and polar coordinates (using this file: Parametric.gsp) and finished with an exciting exploration of the connection between rectangular graphing and polar graphing (using this file: Cartesian Polar.gsp).

HW:


April 28, 2008

We began with Supercorrection questions and then had an introduction to polar coordinates.

HW:
  • p. 338/1, 3, 5, 7abf, 9, 11bd, 13c
  • If you need polar graph paper, you can get a page with four graphs here or generate your own here.


April 17, 2008

Today was a day for Supercorrections.

HW:
  • Finish Supercorrections by Friday- no homework over the break! (automatic extension if necessary)


Tax Day, 2008

Today was the test day.

HW:
  • Begin Supercorrections- due Friday


April 11, 2008

Today was our revision day! HW apr9 answers.pdf are the answers from the homework due today.

HW:
  • Organize homework
  • Do Here and check answers here


April 9, 2008

We worked on the Sketchpad investigation Products of Sinusoidal Functions. We used this sketch to start. This led to a discussion of enveloping functions and the importance of being able to write sums of waves as products. We finished by going over the quiz and discussed the homework problems (answers here)

HW:


April 7, 2008

We began class by going over the warm-up from last class and went over homework questions. We discussed how to remember the sum identities, and then we took the quiz. We finished by beginning the homework questions.

HW:


April 3, 2008

We began with this warm-up. This led to a discussion of how to simplify sums of sines and cosines. We finished discussing the identities investigation and went over the homework.

HW:
  • Find the amplitude and phase shift of y = 4cos x + 5sin x
  • p. 331/1-10
  • Quiz Monday


April Fools Day, 2008

We began class with this warm up. We then went over the identities homework (answers here) and practiced with the new identities.

HW:
  • p. 313/7, 11, 13, 25
  • p. 318/15
  • p. 323/7, 23, 25, 29
  • p. 329/31


March 28, 2008

We worked on deriving some more identities using this investigation.

HW:
  • Finish the investigation.


March 26, 2008

We investigated the sums of sinusoidal waves using Sketchpad. These are the files that we used: Trig Coords.gsp and Light Speed.gsp and Piano.gsp.

HW:
  • Finish project (due via email by Friday evening)


March 24, 2008

We took the quiz, discussed the project and options for next year, and practiced trig graphing some more.

HW:
  • Use graph paper when graphing: p. 278/9b, 12b, 15, 16; p. 284/7; p. 290/17, 19, 21-24; p. 295/10; p. 306/1, 11
  • Juniors need to work on these 18 problems to be discussed on Tuesday


March 20, 2008

We worked some more on Supercorrections and then looked at the project and worked on p. 291/21-24; p. 278/9b, 12b; p. 284/7; p. 290/16 using this Sketchpad file.

HW:
  • Work on project rough draft (due via email Friday, 3/21)
  • Finish Supercorrections
  • Quiz on Supercorrections Monday


March 18, 2008

We began class by working on Supercorrections. We talked about the importance of homework and the trouble with copying answers out of the back. We then revised transformations of functions on a sine function using this applet and learned the terms period and amplitude. We practiced with p. 291/21-24.

HW:
  • Work on Supercorrections (due Monday, 3/24)
  • Work on project rough draft (due via email Friday, 3/21)


March 12, 2008

Today was the test day.

HW:
  • Begin rough draft of project (you won't be able to finish, as we are discussing amplitude, period, etc. on Tuesday)
  • Begin Supercorrections (due Monday, 3/24). Don't forget- two of the problems are extra credit, but do Supercorrections for all.


March 10, 2008

We began class by warming up with problems from the p. 264 homework. We took a look at the third quarter project and the old quiz. We then worked on the revision problems below.

HW:
  • Finish p. 271/1-10 and check answers (in library or in my room)
  • Organize homework for the unit- correct any old homework questions.
  • Do more practice problems as time allows.


March 6, 2008

After going over the quizzes, we worked on one more quiz of our choice.

HW:
  • Take a final quiz of your choice from here.


March 4, 2008

After going over the previous quizzes, we worked on the Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability Practice Quiz #1.

HW:


Leap Day, 2008

After going over the previous quizzes, we worked on the geometry and measurement quiz #1.

HW:


February 27, 2008

After going over the previous quizzes, we worked on the algebra and functions quiz #1.

HW:


February 25, 2008

We signed on for a free SAT On-Line Prep Course at www.collegeboard.com/satonlinecourseschool. We discussed the SAT in general and the math component in particular. We talked about the 44 multiple choice questions and the 10 student produced response questions. We went through this practice quiz.

HW:


Valentine's Day 2008

After the quiz, we continued to work with the inverse trig functions.

HW:
  • Finish p. 264/1-15 odd, 21, 25, 31, 34, 37, 39, 41, 45, 46


February 12, 2008

We used this sketch ambiguous case.gsp to examine the ambiguous case of the Law of Sines in further detail.

HW:
  • Study for quiz.
  • Work for 15 minutes on p. 264/1-15 odd, 21, 25, 31, 34, 37, 39, 41, 45, 46


February 8, 2008

We worked on Supercorrections and practiced more with the Law of Sines (after looking at the funny ambiguous case) and Law of Cosines (after proving this powerful rule).

HW:
  • p. 257/1, 2, 3
  • p. 258/3, 9, 11, 13, 15


February 6, 2008

We worked on Supercorrections, looked at triangle homework, and learned about the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.

HW:
  • p. 250/1, 5, 9, 13, 19
  • p. 255/1, 9, 11, 15, 17
  • Supercorrections due Tuesday; Triangle Trig Quiz Thursday


February 4, 2008

Today was the test day.

HW:
  • Work on Supercorrections for one hour.


January 31, 2008

We continued to revise trigonometry. We used the test rejects.

HW:
  • p. 241/5, 13, 21, 27, 29, 37, 41
  • p. 246/7, 11, 15, 21 (using result from p. 241/37)


January 29, 2008

Today was our time to revise for Thursday's test. We went over questions from all areas of our unit on trigonometry.

HW:
  • Organize homework for the unit- correct any old homework questions.
  • Choose 6 additional problems from Chapter 6
  • Do more as time allows.


January 25, 2008

Today is a day for you to revise Chapter 6. The test will be next Thursday. Help each other out! Go over your old homework from 1/17 & 1/23 and read through the Chapter Summary 1-7 on p. 233.

HW:
  • p. 234/1-12 all


January 23, 2008

After correcting the quiz together, finish the Sketchpad sketch and play with it.

HW:
  • p. 195/7-9
  • p. 197/Review Exercise 1
  • p. 197/7, 11
  • p. 204/7, 13, 21, 35
  • p. 210/17, 26, 27
  • p. 218/23


January 17, 2008

We went over homework, took the quiz, discussed graphs and period and identities.

HW:
  • p. 223/3, 7, 11, 17, 25, 29, 47, 55
  • p. 232/15, 21, 25, 33
  • Test on Trig will be Thursday, 1/31


January 15, 2008

We had a third crack at the Speed Quiz (the Need for Speed!), went over homework, and then used our project knowledge to give us financial power.

HW:
  • Find out what the "Rule of 70" and derive it (see p. 182/41 for steps to derive it)
  • p. 210/15, 16
  • p. 187/36
  • p. 223/1
  • p. 231/1, 5, 13
  • If you would like to use any IOU's this quarter, bring them next class.


January 11, 2008

We had a second crack at the Speed Quiz (the Need for Speed!), went over the quiz and homework, and then continued investigating the trig functions with Sketchpad.

HW:
  • p. 217/13, 19, 26
  • p. 229/7, 35, 41
  • Trig Quiz Thursday & a final Speed Quiz Tuesday.


January 9, 2008

After the quiz, we investigated the graphs of trig functions. We then went over homework.

HW:
  • Finish your project.
  • Speed Quiz Try #2 Friday


January 7, 2008

We began class with some Unit Circle time, discussed homework problems, and then discussed trig identities and equations. We finished by returning the project rough drafts.

HW:
  • p. 228/1, 3b, 5b, 13, 15, 21, 25, 29, 31, 33
  • Quiz Wed on trig homework thus far with a one minute section on Unit Circle memorization


January 3, 2008

Today was a day to work on homework.

HW:
  • Email your project to Mr. O'B by 4 pm Friday afternoon (if you need an extension until Saturday afternoon, ask).


December 21, 2007

We began class with another look at the Unit Circle, we went over homework, and we used the rest of the class to work on the project.

HW:
  • Work on project as necessary- rough draft is due the Friday we get back.


December 19, 2007

We began class by reviewing how the Unit Circle helps us, we then discussed homework, and we learned how to use that very mathematical measurement- the radian.

HW:
  • p. 193/3, 7, 11a, 17, 19cd
  • p. 197/5, 9, [Extra Credit: 17]
  • p. 204/3, 5
  • p. 210/11
  • p. 217/11
  • Continue memorizing the Unit Circle now adding radians.


December 17, 2007

We spent a little time looking at Supercorrections and then we discussed Francois and his Pedometer. We defined the six trig functions for circular angles, and discussed coterminal and reference angles and their uses.

HW:
  • p. 194/19ab, 21c, 23c, 25
  • p. 203/3, 4, 7, 9, 11abcd
  • p. 210/7
  • p. 217/9
  • Begin memorizing the Unit Circle


December 13, 2007

We spent a little time looking at Supercorrections and then constructed our own Unit Circles. We finished class by beginning work on Francois and his Pedometer.

HW:


December 11, 2007

After discussing the project, we corrected each test question.

HW:
  • Work on Supercorrections (due by next Friday- earlier if possible)


December 7, 2007

Today was the test.

HW:
  • Spend one hour on the project- read it and begin working.


December 5, 2007

For our revision, we redid the quiz either making more or less use of the calculator. We then went over homework and revised for this big test.

HW:
  • Organize homework for the unit.
  • Choose 8 additional problems from Chapter 4, 5 or the Test Rejects (U2T adv math problems revision.pdf)
  • Do more as time allows- Friday's test is a big one!


November 29, 2007

After the quiz, we worked more with exponential and log modeling using the homework from last class.

HW:
  • Look over Second Quarter Project
  • p. 185/1-14


November 27, 2007

After some exponential/log warm-up and some homework questions, we investigated exponential decay.

HW:
  • Quiz Thursday and test next Wednesday
  • Finish sheet from class
  • p. 176/9, 36, 37


November 21, 2007

Today was Exponent Competition Day. Our problems came from p. 150/2-24 even and p. 154/2-40 even.

HW:
  • None- you've worked hard this semester; enjoy your break.


November 19, 2007

We warmed up by looking further at graphs of logarithmic and exponential functions, including transformations. This led us to look at base changes and the very special base e. We finished by discussing the quiz and homework

HW:
  • p. 171/11, 21, 25, 27
  • p. 181/3, 9, 13, 21, 27, 31


November 15, 2007

After the quiz, we talked about logs and exponentials as functions, discussed their inverse properties, and looked at graphs of each.

HW:
  • p. 158/7, 17, 19, 21, 29
  • p. 162/1, 11, 19, 21, 23, 25, 33



November 13, 2007

After discussing the Mystery Function, we discussed what logs are and took a closer look at the Big Three Log Properties.

HW:
  • p 167/7-17 odd, 27, 31, 33, 35, 39
  • Quiz Thursday


November 9, 2007

We corrected the quiz, discussed homework, and then began the Mystery Function.

HW:


November 7, 2007

After the quiz today, we discussed inverse functions and the old homework.

HW:
  • p. 141/1-15 odd, 21, 27


November 5, 2007

We investigated the reciprocal and absolute value of functions and discussed homework.

HW:
  • p. 295/1, 5, 7, 14, 15, 17, 18
  • Continue to work on p. 135
  • Quiz Wednesday


November 1, 2007

After the NEML test, we discussed functions and transformations further.

HW:
  • This homework sheet: transformations.pdf
  • Got any IOU's from this quarter? Bring them to class Monday if you would like to use them to increase your quarter grade.


October 30, 2007

We began by looking at transformations of functions and then discussed the function word problems.

HW:
  • p. 284/1, 3, 13
  • p. 290/3, 11, 25


October 26, 2007

We finished the presentations, discussed homework, and began looking at transformations of functions.

HW:
  • p. 135/3-7 odd, 11-33 odd
  • Some of these problems require you to dig back into your memory of Geometry- you may want to Google for formulas that you've forgotten...


October 24, 2007

After the two presentations, we discussed functions some.

HW:
  • p. 122/5acf, 6, 8
  • p. 126/1, 3, 11, 14, 17, 18
  • p. 129/13, 17
  • p. 135/1, 9


October 22, 2007

After a couple of presentations, we worked on Supercorrections.

HW:
  • Continue to work on Supercorrections (due Friday, 10/26)


October 18, 2007

Today was test day.

HW:
  • Begin work on Supercorrections (due Friday, 10/26)
  • Prepare for Oral Presentations: Monday is Meets the Eye, Tax, Newton, Wednesday is Golf & Crossroads, Friday is Crickets & Rational


October 16, 2007

After the presentation of More than Meets the Eye, we revised for Thursday's test. It will cover the first three chapters of the text book (except 1-8, 2-7, 3-4, and 3-5).

HW:
  • Organize homework for the unit (checked, corrected, stapled)
  • Do a minimum of ten questions from Chapters 1-3 in your text for revision (your choice). Check answers and correct (solution book available in class and/or the library). Submit with the unit's homework on Thursday.
  • Revise from quizzes, Supercorrections, old homework. You may find this site to be a nice source of additional explanations.


October 12, 2007

We used class time to work on the projects.

HW:
  • Finish Project (due in class Tuesday- email preferred)


October 10, 2007

We discussed inequalities further.

HW:
  • p. 97/9, 15, 19
  • p. 101/15, 17
  • p. 104/5, 25, 29
  • Unit 1 Test is Thursday, October 18th



October 4, 2007

We worked on Supercorrections and the projects.

HW:
  • Finish Supercorrections (due Wed)
  • Work on Project (final draft due in class Tuesday, October 16th)



October 2, 2007

After the quiz, we spoke about solving inequalities.

HW:
  • p. 114/1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 (this last one is a thinker- if you get really stuck, p. 110 has a method you can follow)



September 28, 2007

We continued to work with polynomials.

HW:
  • The following problems are revision questions for your quiz; check your answers and correct before Tuesday. If you can't do any of these, be sure to get help *before* the quiz.
  • p.55/17, 25
  • p.61/39
  • p.65/7, 9, 30 (check by graphing on your calculator)
  • p.70/15
  • p.75/15
  • p.82/1
  • p.88/17



September 26, 2007

We discussed polynomial functions using old homework problems.

HW:
  • Project rough draft due by Friday class via email



September 24, 2007

After a polynomial warm-up, we worked on homework problems and discussed polynomials.

HW:
  • p. 55/13, 15, 23, 27
  • p. 65/1, 5, 9, 13, 15, 27
  • p. 79/5
  • Quiz on Chapter 2 Tuesday


September 20, 2007

We discussed the quiz, Supercorrections, and our way-cool calculators.

HW:
  • Finish Supercorrections and work on project rough draft (due via email next Friday, September 28th)



September 18, 2007

We discussed the Common Algebra Errors sheet (be sure to get notes on this Haystackers!). We then worked on the Chapter 2 Test on page 90.

HW:
  • Finish p. 90/1-14 and let me know what you have never seen before


September 14, 2007

Today was quiz day. Afterwards, we signed up for quarter projects and discussed how to work on them with our partner using Google Docs.

HW:
  • Read your quarter project carefully and come to class with questions about it.


September 12, 2007

We continued to review algebra by discussing problems and common errors.

HW:
  • p. 7/25, 33
  • p. 17/19, 27
  • p. 23/15, 17, 19, 29, 33
  • p. 27/3, 19
  • p. 32/19 and check answers in the back of the book
  • Review for Quiz Friday on Ch. 1 by doing any problems you like...
  • Check out projects for choice on Friday


September 10, 2007

We reviewed algebra by discussing problems and common errors.

HW:
  • p. 13/25, p. 27/21, p. 35/9 and check answers in the back of the book
  • File Not Found
    File Not Found
  • Review for Quiz Friday
  • Check out projects for choice on Friday


September 6, 2007


After some introductions and a discussion of the three interesting problems, we went over the course methodology. We then talked about the importance of thinking, doing, and communicating.

HW:
  • p. 44/1-21 and check answers in the back of the book
  • You might not be able to do all of these, so come to class with questions!!! Focus on the why as well as the how. Also, focus on your communication (i.e. how you write out your answers!)

Tues/Wed, September 4/5th

We thought about the following...

For each of the following problems, first estimate an answer and then try to calculate an answer using your mathematical skills.
  1. When was one million seconds ago? How about one billion seconds ago? For more on this problem, click here.
  2. Suppose a string were tied tight around the earth. If one additional meter were added to the string, and the string was lifted the same distance off the surface of the earth, how high would it rise? For more on this problem, click here.
  3. If a piece of paper could be folded in half fifty times, how high would the stack of paper be? For more on this problem, click here.
If you're interested in how we name large numbers, click here.

HW:
  • Sign up for a wikispaces account by clicking here.
  • Cover your text book.
  • Read the course methodology and come to class prepared to discuss it (a copy is available on the home page of this website).
  • Give the parent/guardian letter to your parent/guardian (again, a copy is available on the home page of this website).
  • Please complete this student information sheet (you won't be able to submit this unless you have all information- including a wikispaces username, parent email address, and textbook number).